I took a few days off following the close of the Saratoga meet on Labor Day, and now I’m back with a closer look at today’s Arlington-Washington Lassie S. (G3).
The field for the one-turn, one-mile Arlington-Washington Lassie (in post position order with trainer and morning-line odds) consists of:
Never Lie (Arnold, 15-1) — Came alive on the turf with first-time Lasix to break her maiden last out, but seems unlikely to show much in this spot.
Reine des Coeurs (Hinsley, 30-1) — Flashed speed between foes, then dropped back along the inside before moving up and taking the lead near the furlong marker and drawing off in her debut at a price under Ms. Karlsson. She has upset potential and is worth a second look.
Broadway Hennessey (Hollendorfer, 6-1) — Ships in from California after capturing a minor stakes at Santa Rosa. That day, she was well back early, then advanced three wide on the turn, before edging away by 2 1/4 lengths while being ridden out. She projects an inside pace trip, but could go forth at underlaid odds.
Pride (Pletcher, 8-1) — The chestnut filly broke in, soundly bumped the foe to her inside, then settled nicely along the rail going three-quarters over this surface last out. She waited while blocked along the inside turning for home, then was steadied sharply and dropped back to last near the three-sixteenths marker, before angling out and closing fast, finishing second in the local allowance prep for this event. One of three trained by Todd Pletcher, Pride lures Garrett Gomez astride. She is my top choice.
Timeless Miss (Broussard, 30-1) — Figures to be an early pace factor, but has serious questions at this level despite working well of late. For longshot players only.
Phola (Pletcher, 12-1) –Broke a little slow, then settled into a pocket and waited near the quarter-mile grounds before quickly taking command and drawing off by 4 1/2 lengths at5 this track and trip in her debut. Leading rider Rene Douglas retains the mount. Phola is an intriguing sleeper and should not be overlooked.
Quite the Lady (Pletcher, 8-1) — Exits the same race as Pride where she was fourth along the inside early, angled out and offered a bid four wide turning for home, then finished evenly for third. She can’t be totally dismissed for an in-the-money placing.
C. S. Silk (Romans, 6-1) — Broke her maiden by a widening 6 1/4 lengths when last seen at Churchill Downs. The dark bay filly broke from the outside post, then was in a stalking position down the backstretch, before advancing four wide around the turn and drawing off nicely. She has recorded a couple of sharp works since and shouldn’t be ignored.
Pretty Prolific (Baker, 3-1) — First-out Churchill maiden winner bobbled at the break and trailed the field during the early stages of the Adirondack S. (G2) at Saratoga last out. She advanced along the inside around the turn, then angled out and finished well for third, just missing the runner-up spot. As the morning-line favorite, Pretty Prolific looms as a top threat under new rider Rafael Bejarano.
Mamma Lina (Bennett, 6-1) — Expensive ($260k) juvenile purchase quickly scampered clear with her ears pricked, then easily increased her advantage through the stretch with her rider constantly looking back as the odds-on favorite in her debut against Illinois-breds. She is well drawn near the outside, but will have to negotiate another three furlongs while facing much better competition in this spot. Consider.
Wind Caper (Scherer, 30-1) — Makes her first start for new trainer after dueling three wide early and proving best in her debut at Presque Isle Downs. Seems unlikely.
Afleet Dancer (Gestes, 12-1) — Still a maiden, but ran the most interesting race of all in her debut. Bay filly stumbled badly about three or four strides out of the gate, raced way back around the turn, then advanced smartly in deep stretch, closing fast to just miss in a photo. The best part — she galloped out far, far in front on her own volition. Afleet Dancer breezed a mile since and rates my longshot special.
Ravin Maniac (Rivelli, 12-1) — Won the local allowance prep for this event on the front end while setting relatively slow early fractions. I’m going to take a stand against.
Post time for the Arlington-Washington Lassie is 5:25 p.m. (EDT), or 4:25 (CDT).
The card also includes an excellent edition of the Pucker Up S. (G3) for three-year-old fillies and the $50,000 Honor Glide S. Both races will be decided at nine furlongs on the turf.
*****
Also on Saturday, the Garden City S. (G1) and Ruffian H. (G1) will be run at Belmont Park, but with Tropical Storm Hana darting up the East Coast, there is a strong probability of rain, which likely will compromise the track and course conditions.
Tags: Afleet Deceit, Arlington Park, Arlington selections, Arlington-Washington Lassie, Broadway Hennessey, C.S. Silk, Garden City, handicapping, Mamma Lina, Never Lie, Phola, Pretty Prolific, Pride, Pucker Up, Quite the Lady, Ravin Maniac, Reine des Coeurs, Ruffian, The Joyce Report, Thoroughbred racing, Timeless Miss, Todd Pletcher, Tropical Storm Hana, Wind Caper
